Only that Caitlin had questioned his car's abilities.

He had a soft spot in his heart for the vehicle.

His eyes flickered over the dashboard, the dashboard he cleaned and

polished regularly.

"She handles well if you treat her right."

Maybe someday she'd hear the same affection in his voice when he spoke

about her.

"'that goes for women, too, you know."

The glimmer grew into a full smile over his sensual lips.

"Point taken."

Some of the tension abated and she let out a sigh as she sank back in

the seat.

"When do we meet with the judge?"

We.

It had such a strong, secure sound.

If he could only.

No, he couldn't.

He couldn't let himself enjoy the illusion it conjured up.

Of a home and family.

A marriage that was something other than a sham for his son's sake.

He might start to believe in it.

This was a favor she was doing for him, nothing more.

And he would return the favor by giving her her freedom as soon as it

was possible.

"Wednesday."

This was Saturday.

Not much time for her to settle in to a routine.

But it could be done.

Caitlin nodded.

, "Just tell me the time and I'll be ready."

She.

smiled at him.

"Don't worry. In case you've forgotten, you've just married the

daughter of a very prominent family in the community. The Cassidys practically founded Arizona and have always been heavily -involved in the social and'political scene here."

Her mind was racing, forming possibilities.

Backup plans in case something went awry.

"The judge is bound to take all that into consideration. Jake isn't

going anywhere."

No, he thought, approaching the small community where he lived, he hadn't forgotten Caitlin's lineage.

That was the problem.

For a short time he had been able to place it aside.

But he knew now that it would have popped up to haunt him.

There would be no way he could repay her for what she was doing for

him, Graham thought.

But he could try.

That meant keeping his distance from her.

He couldn't have his own needs clouding his judgment.

And they seemed to cloud up every time he was near her.

Graham pulled up in front of his house.

He turned off the engine, but made no move to get out.

Instead, he turned toward her.

He wanted to give her one last chance to change her mind and go back to

her own house.

Leaning his arm along the back of the seat, he tried to filter out the way she had felt in his arms last night.

Her scent seemed to be filling up all the spaces in his car, surrounding him.

"This isn't going to be easy."

"Nothing worthwhile ever is."

Oh, no, Caitlin thought, you're not talking me out of this.

"Just introduce me, Gray.

I'll take it from there.

He laughed softly, sifting a lock of her hair through his fingers and watching it rain down on her shoulder.

He wished things were different.

That one of them was different.

But things were what they were and there was no changing them.

"Big words for someone so small."

She wanted to curl into his touch, but she remained on her own side of

the car.

Instead, she winked at him.

"Hey, don't mess with me. I've got a big, strong husband to champion

me now."

When she said that, her eyes sparkled, making his knees weak.

But it wasn't a game.

This was serious.

And he wasn't her husband.

Not really.

"Cait-" She placed her fingers to his lips and shook her head.

She didn't want to hear any more disclaimers.

"Just open the front door."

With that, she slid out of the car.

Caitlin followed Graham up the short brick front walk.

Despite her bravado, nerves began to drum through her.

More than anything, she wanted his family to like her.

And she wanted to like them.